The financial close for the construction of seven strategic bridges in Gabon has been successfully achieved. This milestone secures the necessary funding, paving the way for the commencement of this significant infrastructure initiative, which brings substantial economic and developmental benefits to the region and country.
This achievement triggers the start of the 36-month construction contract signed on 28 February 2023, between the Gabonese Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure and a consortium of 3 contractors led by BESIX. The other consortium members are Metallic Bridges of Belgium and MATIERE.
This financial close is the result of a strong and continuous commitment from all parties involved to deliver the project despite economic and political challenges.
The project consists of:
- Designing and building two 200-meter flyovers in Libreville, the Gabonese capital, to significantly improve traffic flow.
- Constructing a 200-metre-long steel bridge across the Abanga River in Ebel, a city located on the Transgabonese road, replacing the existing bridge, and easing congestion in areas crucial for healthcare, education, and economic access to the capital.
- Building four pedestrian bridges in Libreville to enhance pedestrian safety around schools and markets.
BESIX, as the consortium leader, will perform all civil works and the installation of the bridges. MATIERE, through its Belgian subsidiary MBB, will supply all the steel structures (Unibridge®). Both companies have a successful history of collaboration, having previously partnered on the Pont de l’Enfance bridge and the Mungo bridge in Cameroon.
“BESIX is proud to undertake this project, which will significantly improve traffic flow, safety, and ultimately, the regional and national economy. As the consortium leader, BESIX actively supported the Gabonese government in securing the financing. This involved collaboration with the Belgian export credit agency Credendo and BESIX’s long-standing financial partners. Gabon can also rely on the combined design expertise of BESIX and MATIERE for this crucial infrastructure project. Our teams are eager to mobilise and bring this project to life.” – Quentin Olivier, Business Development Manager
Throughout the project planning stage, environmental and social considerations were prioritised in very close cooperation between experts from consultants, contractors, and financial parties. All potential impacts on, among others, local communities, and surrounding ecosystems, were thoroughly assessed and mitigation strategies were adequately developed for further implementation.
About BESIX
BESIX is a leading Belgian group, based in Brussels and operating in 25 countries and on 5 continents, in the construction, real estate development, and concessions sectors. Active since 1909, its iconic achievements include Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower in the world, Sluishuis, an energy-neutral architectural landmark in Amsterdam, as well as the Grand Egyptian Museum, on the Giza pyramids plateau. The Group's engineering department enables BESIX to carry out complex and unique projects, particularly in terms of technical and environmental aspects. BESIX has extensive experience in building bridges in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including the Infinity Bridge in Dubai and the Crown Princess Mary bridge in Denmark. Currently, BESIX is working on large bridge-building projects in Italy, Latvia, and Australia. In 2023, the group achieved revenues of EUR 3.39 billion. BESIX employs about 10,000 people.
About MATIERE/MBB
Created in 1932 by Mr MATIERE, the company is managed today by his grandson Philippe MATIERE. Since the early 2000s, the company has specialised in the industrialisation of the bridge construction process. In addition to its precast concrete culvert structures and its panel structure bridges, since 2004, MATIERE has developed a patented technology, called UNIBRIDGE®, which is unique in the world and has many advantages going from the design stage, through fabrication and transport up to the construction stage of bridges. Thanks to its five factories in France and its factory in Belgium (MBB, Metallic Bridges of Belgium), MATIERE produces up to 50,000 tonnes of pieces of steel per year and is also able to provide financing through Credit Export to its Clients. Present in 25 countries, where it has built 15,000 exemplary structures, MATIERE earns 75 % of its revenue internationally.